GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Judging by last year's response, it is hard to believe that improvements were possible but Stoep Tasting organiser and Karoo Wine Club founder, Rose Wright, and her committee, have come up with a few new plans and ideas for ST19 that are sure to please the legion of visitors and locals alike.
The popular master classes are happening again.
This time there will be a vertical tasting of Glenwood Grand Duc Vintage Chardonnays, with the vintages comprising 2011 to 2016. Barrel samples (what a privilege!) of 2017 and 2018 vintages will also form part of the experience.
Glenwood Wines are new to Stoep Tasting and will be found on the stoep of the newly renovated and gracious Bourke Street Manor, for those who can't make it to the master class.
A unique and special port and cigar pairing will be hosted by Stoep Tasting stalwart, Mike Neebe of Axehill wines. Mike and Pat Neebe will be back on the stoep of Thyme and Again on Caledon Street, and this year the St James Anglican Church ladies are planning some delicious Karoo tasty treats that will pair well with Mike's wines and fortifying ports.
Proudly local, Tim Murray, has a new product known as Three Agaves Spirit (tequila). He will present a master class showcasing this true Karoo spirit. The best news is that this is only available here in Graaff Reinet, hence encouraging visitors to return for more stock. Tim is also new to Stoep Tasting and will be hosted on Kambro Cottages' stoep.
Lanky and affable winemaker Louis van der Riet of De Krans in Calitzdorp will be showcasing their port and creating cocktails at Profcon. This master class is going to be deliciously unique and ideal for those liking something a little different. De Krans will be hosted by Profcon Resorts and will be showcasing all their wines on that stoep.
The most popular master classes from ST18 will also be returning, so the KWV Brandy workshop with James Webber and the wine blending, under the guidance of Guy Webber from Neethlingshof, will be back
In line with the Karoo Wine Club's ethos to include as many community organisations as possible, Camdeboo Hospice is another new and worthy participant, with their stoep that is a wraparound on two sides of their building.
This is a true delight and will be a fantastic stop. They will host Fryers Cove winery as well as The Wild Peacock Food Emporium with their Stoep Tasting tradition of Oysters and Champagne (Krone MCC, as usual, their bubbly of choice).
A whole street café vibe will be going on in that part of town and will surely be an addition to Stoep Tasting that is not to be missed.
Another unique addition is the collaboration of the Parsonage Street Home and Mount Camdeboo reserve. They are organising a "hop-on-hop-off" service for tasters to catch a ride when their purchases start weighing them down. This is very exciting, as they are using unique vehicles such as game viewers, horse and donkey carts and wagons.
It will certainly add a very Karoo-country look and feel to the event and will save many an aching sole too.
Most stoeps will be selling food as this has proven to be rather important; all wine lovers require a little "blotting paper" between samples.
Menus are still coming in, and as soon as they are finalised they will be announced on social media. Supporters are urged to be sure to follow the Karoo Wine Club on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Union Pre-School will once again be hosting a fabulous Karoo Market on the UPS campus. Last year was their first market and much has been learned for 2019.
The parent body which formed the committee has put in endless amounts of energy and effort, and this year their market will be even better.
If anyone is interested in having a stall at the market, Di Murray is the person to contact, by email on oudelandfarm@gmail.com.
On Thursday evening, 23 May, Glen Carlou MD Johan Erasmus and Executive Chef Johan Stander will be in Graaff-Reinet to host this auspicious occasion. The venue selected is none other than the beautifully restored Graaff-Reinet Club and Coldstream Restaurant's new dining area.
"It is such fun to don an evening dress or ball gown, and for the gentlemen, your tux or best suit can be dusted off for the very special new inclusion for ST19, a Black-tie Gala dinner, hosted by Glen Carlou Wine Estate, which will kick of the whole weekend in grand style for the fortunate few," enthused Rose.
The stunning five-course pairing menu will certainly be a delightful experience. The wines and courses have been paired with utmost consideration to palates and Karoo cuisine.
Glen Carlou has an excellent winemaking and food reputation. Their restaurant on the estate in the Paarl area showcases foods that pair with their wines in a way that appeals to all senses. Each plate is perfect and their wines are a real treat.
Only 50 people can be accommodated at this prestigious event, and the tickets are being snapped up.
Anyone who would like to be at this special dinner should book soon by emailing karoowineclub@gmail.com This gastronomic dinner is a must if you are truly serious about food and wine.
The KWC committee is planning to make the Gala dinner an annual event to set the tone for the fabulous Stoep Tasting Wine Weekends to come. It will always be small and special in order to keep the quality and experience at a very high level, and each year a different wine estate will be invited to host and showcase their wines at the start of Stoep Tasting Wine Weekend.
Head of the organising committee, Rose Wright, spoke of her passion for this event, "With over 50 of SA's finest Wine estates and producers attending this sixth annual event, as well as the inclusion of its very first International producer, the Stoep Tasting Wine Weekend attracts thousands of visitors from across the country to our lovely town and surrounds"
She notes that "It is now ranked as one of the finest wine festivals in South Africa. This event is a major economic boost for the Graaff Reinet community and surrounds and has entrenched the region securely as a major tourism destination, with the unbelievable support of our town and Stoeps, we have managed to turn the quietest tourism weekend of the year into the busiest".
Accommodation establishments were booked up months ago and the demand for beds has spilled over to the surrounding areas, lodges and farm stays.
Restaurants and stores have been stocking up for the influx and some of the more enterprising local schools and private residents have spotted the opportunity and made extra beds available at hostels and garden cottages.
Rose explained that another beneficial side effect is the need for extra hands and assistance over the weekend, so plenty of extra jobs are being created and this all culminates in an estimated R17 tR25million of new money that is being pumped into our local economy at all levels.
She adds, "With the on-going support of our wonderful community, Stoep Tasting and Graaff-Reinet can only go from strength to strength".
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